Teachers Call for AI Training as Rwanda’s Ministry of Education Promotes Its Use in Schools

In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has increasingly been integrated into various sectors of national development, including education. In Rwanda, the Ministry of Education has taken a strategic decision to prioritize the use of AI in order to improve teaching methods and increase productivity among teachers and students.

In this context, at the end of 2025, the Ministry of Education announced a program to integrate AI into the education system. The initiative focuses particularly on teaching foreign languages, lesson preparation, analyzing students’ learning progress, and simplifying teachers’ daily tasks. The program aims to encourage teachers to adopt modern technology in their everyday work.

However, despite the Ministry’s belief that this initiative will significantly improve the quality of education, some teachers say there is still a gap in knowledge and training, which limits their ability to use AI tools effectively.

Ahwizangereza Jean Bosco, a secondary school teacher in Nyaruguru District, says that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be a valuable tool in education, but only if teachers receive adequate training. “Today, we teach large numbers of students and prepare many lessons. AI can help us organize lessons more quickly and explain content more clearly to students, but most of us have not received sufficient training to use it properly,” he said.

He adds that the introduction of AI in education has already shown positive potential, particularly in helping teachers organize their work more effectively. “AI in education is very important because, as teachers, it helps us prepare lessons properly and within a short time. This allows the teaching program to move faster and helps prevent delays in completing the planned lessons,” Ahwizangereza said.

Despite these benefits, he noted that the successful adoption of AI in schools still faces challenges, especially due to limited knowledge and skills among many teachers. “Even though AI is helpful, there is still a long journey ahead because many teachers do not have sufficient knowledge about it, especially since most of us have never studied subjects related to Artificial Intelligence,” he explained.

According to Ahwizangereza, the lack of formal training in AI makes it difficult for many teachers to fully utilize the technology, even when it is available. He emphasized that proper training is essential if AI is to make a meaningful impact in classrooms. “As educators, we would like the government to organize training programs on Artificial Intelligence. This would help us improve our teaching methods and prepare students who can compete in the job market after completing their studies, especially in this digital world,” he added.

Similarly, Ngerageze Alphonse, a teacher at G.S. Cy’inama in Karongi District, emphasized the need for structured training to help teachers understand how AI works and how it should be used effectively. “Many teachers do not fully understand how Artificial Intelligence functions. That is why we need training to help us use it correctly,” he explained.

He added that many teachers are eager to receive training on how AI can be used in teaching, monitoring students’ learning progress, and preparing examinations. “Without proper training, we may misuse this technology or avoid it completely, yet it has the potential to help us greatly,” he added.

On the side of the Ministry of Education, officials say teachers’ concerns are being addressed, and that a group of teachers and technology experts has already received training in AI.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Joseph Nsengimana, said the training program is being implemented in phases and that those who have already been trained will help train others across the country. “We decided to integrate AI into education to help both teachers and students achieve higher productivity. Some teachers and experts have already been trained, and they will serve as trainers for others to ensure that this technology is used effectively and responsibly,” Dr. Nsengimana said.

According to the Ministry, the AI program is expected to address several challenges facing Rwanda’s education sector, including the shortage of teachers where one teacher currently serves an average of 65 students low levels of technology use in schools, currently at 36%, and a school dropout rate of approximately 30%.

The Ministry further estimates that AI integration could increase overall education productivity by 30%, improve teacher productivity by 20%, and reduce learning time by 25%, through personalized and adaptive learning approaches.

Education experts say that introducing AI in schools is a timely and positive step, but stress that adequate teacher training, strong technological infrastructure, and effective management are essential for the program to achieve its objectives.

As Rwanda continues to invest in technology and quality education, the challenge remains to ensure that all teachers fully understand and confidently use AI, as reflected in concerns raised by educators from different schools across the country.